Buckle



W. A. SCHLEICHER.

BUCKLE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE IB, I919.

1,358,991 Patented Nov. 16, 1920.

WITNESSES INVENTOR Luv? 1 @Jmxmlh (KAW H um/x31 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. SGHLEICHER, F CLEVELAND, OHIO.

BUCKLE.

Application filed June 16, 1919.

To all who-m it may concern:

Be it known that I, lViLLrAti A. 'jcrinnionnn, a citizen of the United States, esiding at Clevelanu, in the county of Juyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvement in Buckles, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to accompanying drawing, forming part this specification, in which:

of a buckle emthe of Figure 1 is a plan view bodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the buckle as applied to a strap, and

Fig. 4: is a longitudinal section of the buckle applied to the strap. I

My invention has relation to an lmprovement in buckles, and relates more particularly to that type of buckle in which the bail or tongue member of the buckle acts as a clamping lever for the free end portion of the strap to which the buckle s applied. More specifically, my invention is an improvement upon buckles over the type shown in the Sourek Patents 749,953 of January 19, 190% and 877,958 of February is, 1908. Buckles of the construction shown in these patents have gone largely into use and are satisfactory buckles in that they perform their function properly and make a secure strap fastening.

in objection to these buckles is, however, that they are in two pieces, the frame portion of the buckle and the tongue or bail member being entirely separate and distinct pieces. it is. therefore, necessary for the user to assemble the parts in applying the buckle, and this has operated in a large measure a; bar the use of these buckles.

My invention is designed to overcome this diflicultv and provide a buckle of this type which is so constructed that the frame and bail or tongue members of the buckle are permanently united in the manufacture of the buckle so that the tongue becomes an attached part thereof and is not liable to become lost. My buckle, as supplied to the user, is ready to be applied to the strap at once.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, in which I have illustrated my improved buckle, the frame member consists of the side bars 2, the transverse end bars 3 and i, the latter having the usual teeth or serrations 5 on its forwardedge, and the raised Specification of Letters Patent.

V member having Patented Nov. 16, 1920;

SeriaI No. 304,504.

guard bar 6 which forms a keeper loop for the "free end of the strap. This frame is formed of malleable metal and the side bars each have a depending flange 7 formed with an aperture 8 therein. The tongue member of the buckle consists of the front end bar 9 having an upwardly turned lip or flange .10 which is opposite the toothed edge of the bar a, the side portions 11 and the pivot bar 12- whose ends are extended beyond the side bars 11 to form projecting. pintles or trunnions 13. 1

In making this buckle the frame is stamped of sheet metal and the side flanges 7 are pressed inwardly, the pintles or trunnions of the tongue or bail being inserted in the apertures 8 before the final pressing-in occurs. When this flange is finally pressed inwardly over the pintles or trunnions, the bail or tongue becomes a permanently attached part of the buckle.

The buckle is used in the ordinary manner. One end of the strap 14: is passed under the end bars 3 and 4 of the frame and is attached to the pivot bar 12 of the tongue. The free end of the strap is passed upwardly through the bail or tongue and between the upturned flange or lip and the serrations 5 of the bar 4, thence backwardly and underneath the guard or keeper 6. The manner in which the tongue or bail exerts a clamping effect on the strap when strain is brought upon it will be readily understood. It will be noted that the bail or tongue is hung entirely below the plane of the frame and lies between the side flanges 7 thereof, which makes a neat and compact form of construction, and permits the buckle to lie flat upon the strap, avoiding a pronounced and detrimental short bend or kink in the strap at the point where it passes over the pivot bar 12.

I claim:

1. A buckle, comprising a main frame flanges formed integrally therewith and projecting downwardly from the sides thereof to provide a pocket beneath said frame member, said flanges being formed with apertures below the main frame member, a bail member having pintles projecting laterally from the rear portion thereof for engagement with said apertures, said apertures and pintles forming a pivotal connection for permanently holding the bail member entirely below the main frame member for receiving a strap thereabove but entirely below the main frame member and permitting the bail member to swing upwardly into said pocket and against the under side of said main frame member, and

cooperating gripping devices on said members; substantially as described.

2. A buckle comprising a main frame member having flanges projecting downwardly from the sides thereof, said flanges being formed with apertures entirely below the main frame member, a bail member having a pivot bar and pintles projecting laterally therefrom for engagement with said apertures, said apertures and pintles forming a pivotal connection for permanently holding the bail member in position in the frame member and entirely below the same; the location of said bail member permitting the passage of a strap therearound with the portion of the strap above the pivot bar lying smoothly below the upper surface of the main frame member for protecting the strap from wear, and cooperating gripping devices on said members for engaging the free end of the strap, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM A. SOHLEICHER. 

